The spirits that resembled Xena and Gabrielle floated around as the real ones stood on a piece of rock that floated in the lava. Gabrielle looked at Xena for a moment as she smiled.
GABRIELLE
Let's hurry up and finish this, it's gotten way too hot in here.
The spirits floated in close as they tried to disparage them once again.
SPIRIT GABRIELLE
You make it sound so simple. But are you truly capable of completing such a feat?
Xena glanced at the spirits for a moment.
XENA
Not to mention that these two are starting to get on my nerves.
Xena then looked at Gabrielle.
XENA
So let's get this done and get out of here so we can head home and finally be done with these stupid tests for good.
GABRIELLE
I couldn't agree with you more.
With that, Gabrielle made a jump to another piece of earth. She landed easily and was about to hop to another when her doppelganger spirit flew in front of her and blocked her path. The spirit began to try taunting her and Xena was ready to speak up but quickly found that her input wasn't needed.
SPIRIT GABRIELLE
Where are you going, Gabrielle? Do you really think that it's safe for you to do this without Xena?
GABRIELLE
Safe? No. But either way, I can still do this.
Gabrielle glanced over at Xena for a moment.
GABRIELLE
But even if I do end up needing a hand that's okay. And I can't think of anyone else in this world that I would rather have holding my hand when I need it than Xena.
XENA
And that's something that I'm more than happy to do anytime.
As Xena said those words she came jumping in and landed on the opposite edge of the rock that Gabrielle was on. And as a result, the piece of earth shifted greatly and sent the side where Gabrielle was standing upwards. As she realized what Xena was doing, Gabrielle pushed off the ground as it rose quickly, amplifying her height and distance as Xena helped launch her skyward. The momentum carried Gabrielle forward to another piece of earth that had several others floating between it and where she had just been launched from. Gabrielle crouched as she landed and gripped the ledge to gain her balance and steady the rock's movements from her landing. She then looked back as she heard the all-familiar battle cry of Xena's ring out as Xena rapidly lept across several pieces of floating earth with the kind of flare that only she could achieve before landing beside Gabrielle. Gabrielle shook her head in mock disapproval as she smirked at her.
GABRIELLE
(Joking) Show off.
Xena brandished a cocky grin as she crouched down.
XENA
(Joking) Show off huh? You ain't seen nothing yet. You ready?
GABRIELLE
For what?
As soon as Gabrielle said those words, she realized that she should've known better as before she knew it she was over Xena's shoulder and they were both flying through the air towards the next piece of rock.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Xena landed as Gabrielle squirmed, kicked, and playfully pounded on Xena's back.
GABRIELLE
Put, me, down.
Xena chuckled as she did just that and Gabrielle did her best to pretend to be mad at her.
XENA
(Joking) Oh that's right you've been feeling down about me doing stuff like that. Oops. In that case, I'll just keep going and meet you on the other side when you get there. I'll be waiting.
And with a smirk and a wink, Xena took off to the next rock and then moved to another. Gabrielle gave a smirk of her own as she went for her next jump. As she continued across, for the first time in a while Gabrielle realized the weight that she'd been carrying around with her was finally gone. In truth long before she was injured while rescuing Aurora, there was a small part of Gabrielle that had always felt inadequate while standing next to Xena. Which in all honesty seemed silly to her when she thought about it. After all, Xena was leaps and bounds above most people in her abilities. She could rival mystical creatures and even hold her own against the gods themselves. There had been numerous times when Xena would do amazing things that would cause Gabrielle to question whether Xena was even truly only human. So while it wasn't exactly a fair comparison to make, Gabrielle still couldn't help but feel as though she would always be walking a ways behind Xena in her shadow, instead of at her side where Gabrielle really desired to be. But now even that was gone. And while Gabrielle knew she'd never reach Xena's level, it no longer seemed to matter. All that did matter was that Gabrielle knew what she was capable of herself and that she and Xena were there for one another. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses that went far beyond the physical. What Gabrielle had concluded to be such a simple realization and couldn't help but laugh at herself and feel ridiculous for not seeing it so much sooner.
XENA
That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
GABRIELLE
Easy for you to say.
Gabrielle huffed as she caught her breath after making the final jump and landing on the far side of the cave corridor from where they had started and where Xena now stood. After a moment Gabrielle recovered enough to breathe regularly and looked at Xena.
GABRIELLE
You know for someone who was so uncertain about doing this, you sure didn't seem to have much trouble getting over here.
Xena shrugged.
XENA
I miscalculated.
Gabrielle gave Xena a suspicious look.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, nice try Xena, but I don't believe that for a second. So what's the real reason you didn't want to attempt this?
The spirits that resembled Xena and Gabrielle appeared in front of them.
SPIRIT GABRIELLE
Because she didn't think you could succeed in completing the task.
Gabrielle's expression turned into a scowl and then into sadness.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) I knew it. Did you even mean anything you said before? Or...
Xena held up her hands for Gabrielle to stop talking.
XENA
Hold on Gabrielle. Before you go spiraling off again just let me explain.
While Gabrielle wasn't sure what Xena could say to make the situation better, she decided to at least give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, Gabrielle felt that she at least owed Xena that much after how difficult she knew she had been to deal with recently. So she took a breath and relaxed a little.
GABRIELLE
Okay. Sorry about that. Go ahead.
Xena sighed as she gave the spirits an angry look before returning her attention to Gabrielle with a much softer expression.
XENA
Now don't get upset, but what our unwanted friend here just said was technically true.
Gabrielle lowered her head sadly as she felt ridiculous for believing what Xena had said earlier. But before she could wallow, Gabrielle felt Xena place her fingers under her chin and gently lifted her head to look at her again.
XENA
But that was only because I knew that something wasn't right and that you weren't thinking clearly. I didn't want you to do this and risk being killed because of that. It had nothing to do with whether or not you could physically do it. I already know you could do that.
Gabrielle gave a relieved smile.
GABRIELLE
Oh. I guess I can see your point there. I haven't really been thinking clearly for a while.
Gabrielle's face went serious again.
GABRIELLE
And I'm sorry about that Xena. About everything, I know I haven't been easy to live with lately and that hasn't been fair to you.
XENA
I'm just glad you're okay now. That's what's important.
Feeling bad about how she'd treated Xena, Gabrielle was about to insist that her behavior towards Xena was completely uncalled for when the spirits reappeared in front of them.
SPIRIT XENA
It would seem that congratulations are in order.
Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other for a moment before returning their focus to the spirits.
SPIRIT GABRIELLE
Yes. You have both successfully completed your final test.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
Really?! We passed?
Both spirits smiled as well.
SPIRIT XENA
Indeed.
GABRIELLE
We passed Xena. We really passed.
Overjoyed Gabrielle hugged Xena tight as Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle, picking her up and spinning around for a moment as they both smiled and took a moment to celebrate. Afterward, Xena let Gabrielle down as they shared a passionate kiss. After a long moment, they separated and looked at each other.
XENA
It was touch and go for a bit there but I knew we'd pull it off in the end.
GABRIELLE
We somehow always do, don't we? And now we can go home and finally have the wedding that I've always hoped we'd have.
XENA
Whatever you want Gabrielle. As long as it's you who's standing there with me, that's all I care about.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) Careful Xena, your romantic, sensitive side is showing around someone else besides me.
Xena shrugged.
XENA
(Joking tone) Meh, they're just spirits so they don't count.
Then Xena thought about something that she hadn't considered before due to everything that was happening between Gabrielle and herself as she turned her attention to the spirits.
XENA
Which reminds me, just how are we supposed to actually prove that we were here or were even able to pass the test?
Gabrielle looked at the spirits as well.
GABRIELLE
That's right, I hadn't even thought of that.
SPIRIT XENA
You have nothing to worry about. We've already been in contact with your spiritual mediator and informed her of your success.
GABRIELLE
Cora? But how did you even know to contact her?
SPIRIT GABRIELLE
Some time before your arrival we were contacted by her about your coming here. This is how we know you're reason for being here.
XENA
I should've figured there would be things in place for that. It's not like we're the first ones to try and get married and both be queen of the Amazons.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
True. That is the whole reason why there are even these tests around, to begin with.
Xena put her arm around Gabrielle and looked at the spirits as she smiled.
XENA
Well, I don't know about Gabrielle, but if we're done here I would really like to get going. It's been a long trip and I'd like to get home to our little girl. I'm sure she's missing her mother's by now.
SPIRIT XENA
No more than her mother's are missing her I bet.
GABRIELLE
Definitely.
With a nod goodbye, both spirits vanished and Xena and Gabrielle took that as f them being done. Xena was about to complain about needing to go back across the lava pit to leave but stopped when she and Gabrielle heard the sound of stone scraping together. Both turned towards the back of the cave where they stood and saw a large slab of the cave wall opening like a door and letting the sunlight from the outside into the cave.
XENA
(Joking tone) A back door to a cave, how convenient.
Xena was about to head out when she noticed Gabrielle looking at her with a sad expression.
XENA
What's wrong?
GABRIELLE
I just feel really bad about all of the problems that I caused between us. You were trying so hard to help but all I did was get mad and push you away. And after everything you've done for me, you didn't deserve to be treated like that.
Xena walked up to Gabrielle and placed her hands on her shoulders.
XENA
I already told you Gabrielle. I'm not upset about that anymore. After everything that's happened here today, I understand what you were going through now. I'm just sorry you were feeling that way and thought that you had to carry that on your own.
Gabrielle looked at Xena as she finally let go of all of the pent-up emotion she'd been keeping inside and hugged Xena as she buried her face in Xena's chest and cried. Xena held Gabrielle as the tears she finally let fall and Xena's embrace carried away all of the remaining pain and frustration that still lingered in Gabrielle's heart. After a few minutes, the tears stopped and Gabrielle pulled away from Xena's embrace.
XENA
Feel better?
Gabrielle sighed as she dried her eyes.
GABRIELLE
Yeah. Sorry, I think I just needed to get that out.
XENA
Never apologize for expressing yourself, Gabrielle. Especially around me. I know I'm not always the most openly emotional person but you've been able to see the parts of me that I've never let anyone else close enough to see. So while I can't say that I'll always know the right thing to say or do, I can promise that I'll always be there to listen and be a shoulder to cry on or to hold you when you need it. Even if there's nothing else I can do but stand by your side, then that's what I'll do, every time.
GABRIELLE
I know you will. Now come on let's go home.
Gabrielle smiled at Xena as she walked ahead towards the exit with Xena right beside her. The two left the cave and began their journey back to the secret Amazon village leaving the pain of the past number of months behind as they rode off into the setting sun with a love and trust in one another that was now even stronger than ever as they looked forward to the wonderful days ahead.
TO BE CONTINUED...
